St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-09-02
10, The POOR INDIAN.
Investigation Of His Recent
Troubles at the White
Earth Reservation.
What the Beaulieu Family
Did---The Agents Vigor-
Gus Self Defense.
Horrible Butehery Of a Young
Woman Not Far From
Redfield, Oak.
Timber Cutting Charges
M
Timber Cutting Charges
The Militia at Huron Hav-
ing a Good Time.
Special to the Globe.

Special to the Globe
DETROIT, Minn., Sept, 1.-The United
States committee on the investigation
OF Indian affairs returned from White
Earth this evening and resumed its ses-
sion here this morning. The county
authorities granted the committee the
use of the court house, and the large
rooms of that building were filled with
interested spectators during all of the
day. So far nearly all the testimony
that has been taken has been in refer
ence to the difficulties existing between
the Beaulieus and Maj. Sheehan, the
Indian agent. out of which have grown
many of the recent troubles which have
arisen on the reservation. The first
witness to testify to-day was Theodore
III. Beaulieu. Beaulieu is q half-breed
Chippewa, and previous to the appoint
ment of Sheehan as agent was a teacher
on the reservation. Shortly after Shee-
hans appointment Beaulieu applied for
q position as teacher and Sheehan prom
iSed to use his influence to secure him
the position. Bealieu claimed that
Sheehan acted in bad faith and pre-
ferred false charges against him, Beau
lieu, at Washington. Subsequently
Beaulieu was removed from the reser-
vation by order of Commissioner Up
ham, upon representations made to the
department by Shechan. The witness
introduced letters, papers and docu-
ments to show that charges had been
preferred by Sheehan without any
grounds. Witness then gave an account
of his attempt to establish and
PRINT A NEWSPAPER
upon the reservation and the confisca-
ton of his outfit by Agent Sheehan.
Witness stated that in the distribution
of the government bounty he and his
family had failed to obtain from Mai.
Sheehan their just share. Sheehan had
prosecuted him in manner almost
beyond endurance. Sheehan had inter-
fered with their social gatherings, and
had prevented certain of the chiefs
from attending the ice carnival last
winter. Beaulieu is very intelligent.
and number of sharp passages
Occu1red,between him and Mai. Sheehan
when cross examined by the latter. On
one occasion when asked by Sheehan
was not ashamed to be ward of the
government, he rose from his seat and
with flashing eyes exclaimed. that he
had long waited for the time when he
might face Maj. Sheehan before the bar
of justice and plead his grievances.
there, rather than to be obliged to sub
nit them to tyrannicaI and Over-bear-
ing master. Beaulieu was subjected to
very rigid cross examination bv Mai.
Sheehan, but the force of his statement
was very little shaken. Gus A.
Beaulieu testified that he was a deputy
United States marshal and as such had
in many cases notified Sheehan of the
misconduct of certain Indian police
who had been drunk at Detroit. and
that Sheehan had paid no attention to
these complaints. At this point Mai.
Sheehan made several statements in
explanation, and was subjected to the
most
RIGID CROSS EXAMINATION
by Senator Morgan as to his interpreta-
ton of the orders from the department
respecting the removal of the Beauieus.
Senator Morgan-Isnt it true, Mai Shee-
han, that in your administration you have
sought to impress the Indians under your
control with an idea of your own power and
greatness, and have not tried to cultivate
their respect?
Maj. Sheehan-No, sir. have tried 10 i'm
press them with the idea that am their serv-
ant, and In order to secure peace and har-
mony have at times lost sight of personal
interests. Maj Sheehan then rose, and with
voice trembling with emotion said: II
feel that am on trial before the highest tri-
bunal in the land. My life is no dearer to me
than my HONOR
Senator, Morgan, interrupting-Your name
not your honor
Sheehan, continuing-I am now confronted
hH al n rCn inh tn L.,
the first time. I cannot meet them at this
late hour. My witnesses are 100 miles away.
Here are 200 pages of testimony taken, and
charges made before Senator Morgan, in
Washington, while was not present. with
out my knowledge and which l have never
seen until the present moment.
Senator Morgan, fnterrurting-The commit
tee is not to be treated with arrogance by this
agent. We are not trying you, Mr.. Sheehan
Ibelieue that the department is trying to
shield you in this matter. Why they should
not have furnished you with copies of the
testimony and charges is not my business nor
the the business of the committee
Rev. j. A. Gilfillan being called, stated
that every Indian agent at White Earth
had been
FOUGHT AND OPPOSED
by the BeaulieuS t. the decentralization
of the rest of the Indians. The general
feeling among the Indians is that Shee-
han is good and faithful agent. His
acts are all governed by one thing-a
desire to do the most good to all men.
Senator Morgan--Does your creed recon-
mend, then, an old man seventy-six years
old and his wife should be torn apart and
banished by order of law?
Giltillan-I think the welfare of !, 500 peo-
pie outweighs the liberty of one man.
Senator Morgan-Is that Christianity or
law?
Gilfillan-Christianity.
Paul Beaulieu and others were sworn,
and they substantially corroborated Gil
fillan's statement that the Indians were
friendly and we'll disposed toward Shee-
han. The committee finished its inquiry
this evening, and leaves for the Turtle
mountain reservation by special car in
the morning. The feeling generally
prevails here that Sheehan has been a
faithful officer, and it is due to him to
say that being unrepresented by counsel
he has conducted his case before the
committee alone and unaided. He was
submitted to scathing cross-examina-
ton by Senators Dawes and Morgan, and
through it all clearly and frankly ex-
planned his conduct in the administra-
tion of affairs at White Earth.
Infected Cattle.